Elks National Veterans Service Commission
ELKS NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1946, it supports veterans and military members through programs delivered with Elks volunteers, including services for hospitalized veterans, housing assistance, and grants to Elks Lodges for local projects.
Key facts about Elks National Veterans Service Commission
In short: Elks National Veterans Service Commission gave $2.5M across 158 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), top state California. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 13-1548228
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,477,679
- Grants made (2025)
- 158
- Average grant
- $15,682
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (36 of 150, 2025)
- Total assets
- $708,223
- Primary geography
- California (11% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Lodges may apply online for Freedom Grants beginning April 1; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and remain open until 1,000 qualifying applications are approved. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2026–27 Focus Grant application period ends June 30, 2026, or earlier if all funds are awarded.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$708K
+23.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+18.8% YoY
Grant Count
158
+13.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+4.5% YoY
Is Elks National Veterans Service Commission open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 36 of 150 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $14K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Commission’s stated mission is to provide direct service to veterans and military members in need through Elks volunteers. Its programs support hospitalized veterans’ recovery, help veterans exit or prevent homelessness, serve aging veterans and veterans in facilities, and connect people with resources and community support.
ENVSC-funded projects are directed toward five areas: employment; homelessness and housing; military families; health, including mental health and independent living; and educational support. Programs include Voluntary Service in veterans’ facilities, Welcome Home assistance and kits, Freedom Grants, and support for adaptive sports and other activities.
The Commission makes grants to Elks Lodges for local projects. One recipient, Wisconsin Elks Association Inc., describes its mission as uniting Elks in closer bonds of fraternity, fostering fellowship among Lodges, and protecting and promoting the Wisconsin Elks organization.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Commission reported 158 grants totaling $2,477,679. Grant amounts ranged from $5,043 to $82,088, with a median of $10,000. The listed grant recipients include Elks Lodges and state Elks associations.
Review Cycle
The 2026–27 Focus Grant application period ends June 30, 2026, or earlier if all funds are awarded.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Commission describes its programs as serving veterans and military members throughout the nation. Its Voluntary Service program operates in veterans’ facilities across the country. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to California and Florida (11% each), Texas (8%), Washington (7%), and Minnesota (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 158 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2021) to $2.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 158 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hopkins MN No 2221 ($82K). Together the top 10 received $540K.
Grant Size Distribution
630 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 618 grants of 630 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hopkins MN No 2221 Hopkins, MN | Welcome Home | $82,088 |
| Eureka-Pacific Mo No 2644 Eureka, MO | Welcome Home | $67,607 |
| Lynnwood Wa No 2171 Lynnwood, WA | Welcome Home | $48,671 |
| Colorado Elks Association Centennial, CO | Voluntary Service Program | $48,575 |
| El Paso TX NM No 187 El Paso, TX | Welcome Home | $48,573 |
| California-Hawaii Elks Association Fresno, CA | Voluntary Service Program | $47,590 |
| Raleigh NC No 735 Raleigh, NC | Welcome Home | $45,509 |
| Cocoa Beach FL No 2387 Cocoa Beach, FL | Welcome Home | $44,866 |
| Ossining NY No 1486 Ossining, NY | Welcome Home | $43,087 |
| Gainesville FL No 990 Gainesville, FL | Welcome Home | $42,310 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $708,223 | $5,790,365 | $5,630,025 | $2,477,679 |
| 2024 | $573,639 | $167,544 | $5,183,074 | $2,086,306 |
| 2023 | $5,694,904 | $5,181,799 | $4,716,044 | $1,606,291 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $708,223 | $573,639 | $5,694,904 |
| Revenue | $5,790,365 | $167,544 | $5,181,799 |
| Expenses | $5,630,025 | $5,183,074 | $4,716,044 |
| Net Investment Income | $86,942 | $50,545 | $-4,470 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Paul Ryan, Chairman; Bruce Hidley, Vice-Chairman; Randy Shook, Member; John Amen and Robert Duitsman, Past Chairs; and Bryan Klatt, Grand Secretary.
Elks National Veterans Service Commission is led by Paul R. Ryan, Chairman since 2025 (on filings since 2022); none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Paul R. Ryan
Chairman
Past Chair → Vice Chairman, 2023
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Klatt
Grand Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John D. Amen
Past Chair
Chairman → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert L. Duitsman
Past Chair
Secretary & Treasurer → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Hidley
Vice Chairman
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Shook
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: David R. Carr (2021–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Ronald L. Hicks (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: James L. Nichelson (2021–2022) — Past Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 2750 N Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-1889
Phone: (773) 755-4810
Website: https://elks.org
Frequently asked questions about Elks National Veterans Service Commission
How much does Elks National Veterans Service Commission give each year?
Elks National Veterans Service Commission gave $2.5M across 158 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 139 grants.
What is Elks National Veterans Service Commission's typical grant size?
Elks National Veterans Service Commission's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,682, across 158 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Elks National Veterans Service Commission that year got $10K on average.
Where does Elks National Veterans Service Commission give grants?
Elks National Veterans Service Commission's top state is California, with 11% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Florida (11%) and Texas (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lynnwood, WA (2 grants), Cocoa Beach, FL (2 grants), Elgin, IL (2 grants) and Miami, FL (2 grants).
Does Elks National Veterans Service Commission give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 158 grants with a stated purpose on Elks National Veterans Service Commission's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Welcome Home" (75 grants), "Voluntary Service Program" (42 grants) and "Focus" (38 grants).
Who are Elks National Veterans Service Commission's largest grantees?
Elks National Veterans Service Commission's largest 2025 grantees include Hopkins MN No 2221 ($82,088), Eureka-Pacific Mo No 2644 ($67,607) and Lynnwood Wa No 2171 ($58,671 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Elks National Veterans Service Commission?
Elks National Veterans Service Commission reported $708K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.
What does Elks National Veterans Service Commission fund?
The Commission’s stated mission is to provide direct service to veterans and military members in need through Elks volunteers. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elks National Veterans Service Commission?
Lodges may apply online for Freedom Grants beginning April 1; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and remain open until 1,000 qualifying applications are approved. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elks National Veterans Service Commission's EIN?
Elks National Veterans Service Commission's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1548228. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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